Exploring The Importance Of Kid's Eye Exams

Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Varicose Veins: Answering A Couple Of Questions You May Be Wondering About This Condition

Circulatory problems can create a host of issues for you, and varicose veins are a common complication of this issue. However, there are many people that lack the expertise and knowledge needed to understand what they need to do about this condition. Yet, learning the following answers to some routine questions should help you to make an informed choice about minimizing the problems that these veins can create.

Are Varicose Veins More Than Just A Cosmetic Concern?

There are many patients that are under the impression that their varicose veins are merely a cosmetic concern that can be ignored indefinitely. However, it should be noted that this is generally not the case, and these veins can create many painful problems for you.

This problem is essentially caused by a failing valve on one of your veins, and this can cause blood to pool in it. As a result, you may experience sharp and dull pains while also encountering a general feeling of tiredness in your leg. For many patients these symptoms can become severe enough to impact their quality of life, and those working jobs that require standing for long hours may experience the most severe symptoms of this problem.

What Happens If You Decide To Avoid Having These Veins Treated?

For those that decide to delay having this problem treated, the varicose veins will gradually spread, and as this happens, the symptoms associated with this condition will worsen. Eventually, you may find yourself unable to walk without experiencing extreme pain or discomfort.

Luckily, the treatment for this problem is relatively minor, and you should expect to recover from it fairly quickly. Typically, your doctor will only need to make a small incision to remove the varicose vein. There is a common assumption that undergoing this procedure is very painful, but this is not actually the case for most patients. Individuals can typically expect the worst of the discomfort to only last for the first day or two, and then they will be able to return to their normal lives.

Varicose veins can be an embarrassing and painful condition that you may develop at some point during your life. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can correct the cosmetic issues and painful symptoms that can be caused by this condition. By knowing that these veins are more than just a cosmetic concern and what will happen if you fail to have them treated, you should be better capable of having this condition treated.

Posted by admin on Jul 16, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Diners, Drive-Throughs, And Drugs: Why Addiction Rates Are Rising among Hotel and Food Service Workers

Substance use and alcohol abuse are on the increase in the United States. Specifically, Americans are using more methamphetamine, and heroin, while binge drinking among men and women remains high. Treatment centers continue to help those who become addicted to drugs and alcohol through a combination of individual/group counseling and support resources. But have you ever wondered who these people are who enter substance abuse treatment centers? Chances are, you ate a burger prepared by someone with a meth problem or walked into a hotel room cleaned by someone addicted to heroin. In fact, 19% of hotel employees and food service workers—nearly one in five—struggle with substance abuse.

Hotel and food service workers have the highest rate of drug use

In a recent study of drug use by those employed in various occupations, the highest rates were found among hotel employees and food service workers. Miners came in with high rates of drinking: 17.5% of miners surveyed admitted to excessive alcohol consumption. Drug use among construction workers decreased from 17% in 2007 to 14% in 2012. Social services and health care employees report just slightly over four percent of them drink heavily. But substance abuse rates of those in two hospitality industries, accommodations and food service, have increased from 17% to 19% in recent years.

Reasons for high drug use

Construction can certainly be a stressful job, as are occupations in health care and social services. Why are rates of substance abuse low or decreasing among these occupations but rising among those in the hotel and food service industries? Here are some ideas.

High stress. You may go to a restaurant to enjoy a relaxing meal, but the cooks and serving staff are scrambling to provide you with quality food in a timely fashion. Employees balance the demands of customers, supervisors, and coworkers all at the same time, usually in a confined space. Alcohol beckons, offering to take the edge off that stress.

High activity. Food service is a physically demanding occupation. Both cooks and service staff are on their feet for hours at a time, always moving, in a fairly confined space. Hotel employees—be it at the front desk or on the cleaning crew—are always busy as they seek to please guests. Stimulant drugs offer quick energy for tired workers.

Frequent customer complaints. Cooks get comebacks, wait staff get in-your-face diatribes, front desk clerks get complaints—and all are expected to respond with a smile because “the customer is always right.” Yet customers are often rude, and all that internalized confrontation can build to a frenzy inside workers, begging for release. Drugs and alcohol are an easy escape.

The next time you are out for a meal or check into a hotel, go easy on the workers who assist you.

If you are a hotel or food service worker who is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, this study shows that treatment centers understand your battle. Further, they have helped many who have raced around a restaurant or hotel in your shoes. Make an appointment with an admissions counselor today, such as one from Dr. Lewis A. Weber & Associates.

Posted by admin on Jul 10, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on What To Expect Of Your Baby’s Visual Development

If you are expecting a baby, or you have a baby already, you want to learn about the visual development of infants. This way, you know just what to expect from your little one and you’ll know if you should take them in to see the eye doctor. The information in this article will take you through the development of an infant’s vision and help you recognize reasons for concern.

During Pregnancy – Your baby’s vision starts developing while they are still in the womb. This is just one more reason why you want to make sure you take your prenatal vitamins and follow your doctor’s advice on proper nutrition and lifestyle habits.

As a newborn – A newborn baby won’t see things in color. Instead, they see the world around them in gray shading. They also aren’t able to focus in on things that are very close to them. Therefore, you don’t want to worry if your new baby appears to be staring far away and not paying attention to anything near their face.

As a three month old – By the third month, your baby’s eyes should work well together and you should notice they look cross-eyed less and less. They should be getting good at following moving objects. You may notice they watch you as you walk around the room. They will begin to grab at items you put in front of them and they will look around the room without moving their head to focus.

As a six month old – By the time your baby is six months, they should have good control over their eyes. They should be able to look from object to object quickly and accurately. They should recognize people from across the room and have no problem following a quickly moving object. By this age, your baby should be able to pick up items with ease. They should also be able to see all of the colors at this point.

As a one-year old – At a year, your child should have good visual control and awareness. They will be getting good at coordinating their physical movements with their vision. You’ll notice them paying close attention to things in motion. Watch them closely at this stage and you will see them staring at the world in amazement as they take in all the sights.

If you notice your child isn’t progressing when it comes to their visual development, then you should take them in to see the eye clinic like Atlantic Ophthalmology to rule out vision problems.

Posted by admin on Jun 17, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Is A Delayed Immunization Schedule Right For Your Child?

If you’re a first-time parent, you may be surprised to see the ever-growing list of vaccines recommended for your tiny infant. While many of these vaccines have been in use since you were a child, they may not have been recommended at such early ages (or even given at all unless you had other health concerns). However, the benefits of a well-immunized population are immeasurable. To ensure that your child is adequately protected from illness without overloading his or her immune system, you may wish to employ a delayed immunization schedule under certain circumstances. Read on to learn more about situations in which this delayed schedule may be recommended.

Your child has a food allergy

Many vaccines are created or grown using tissue from eggs. This can potentially cause an allergic reaction if your child is sensitive to eggs or egg products. While there are egg-free alternatives for most vaccines (such as nasal sprays), these alternatives are often not tested on (or deemed effective for) infants and young toddlers, so you may want to push back any egg-based vaccines until after your child is old enough for the alternative version to be equally as effective.

Your child has a chronic illness

Whether your child has a serious autoimmune disease or is simply prone to lengthy colds or respiratory illnesses during the winter, adding vaccinations on top of an already-overloaded immune system is generally not advised. Using the body’s natural response to mount immunity against a vaccine can take away valuable resources toward fighting this illness. You may want to delay certain vaccines until your child has become relatively healthy again, or stagger out these vaccines so that your child doesn’t receive multiple injections in a single doctor’s visit.

You share your home with an ill adult (or child)

If your infant is perfectly healthy, but you’re also caring for an elderly parent or an immunocompromised person lives in your home, you may want to be cautious about sticking closely to the recommended vaccination schedule. Although the majority of vaccines are created with dead or inactive versions of a virus, there are a few (like the flu shot) that can contain live virus. This may put other family members at risk if they’re in close contact with your child for the few hours or days after he or she has received a vaccine.

By working closely with your child’s pediatrician and explaining any risk factors that may be present in your home, you should be able to come up with a vaccination schedule that will keep both your child and your family safe and healthy. Contact a local doctor, like Willow Oak Pediatrics, if you have questions or concerns.

Posted by admin on Jun 3, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 4 Tips To Help You Self-Detox From Alcohol

If you are addicted to alcohol and would like to try to self-detox then there are some important steps that you should take to ensure that you have a high chance of success. Self-detox requires a lot of discipline and the temptation to go back to alcohol can be overwhelming. However, if you keep the following tips in mind while attempting to self-detox you are sure to have a better chance at success.

Location Is Everything

A big part of rehabilitation is getting the necessary support. This makes the location of your self-detox extremely important. It is best to find a relative or friend to stay with or have them stay with you at your home while you are going through self-detox. You may also want to consider going someplace where you are surrounded by nature if your home is located in the city, so that you can take advantage of a new environment as well as take walks to get fresh air and exercise. This will help to distract you from your cravings.

Foods That Quell Hunger

During self-detox you may find that you lose your appetite. However, you must force yourself to eat in order to keep up your strength during the detoxification process. Detoxification from alcohol can cause nausea. You do not want to add hunger induced nausea into the mix. This is why you should try stocking up on easily digestible foods during your self-detox. Canned soups and oatmeal are two good options, since these foods are not only easy to prepare but are also easily digestible.

Avoid dehydration

Vomiting and diarrhea often occur during self-detox from alcohol. This is why it is important that you have plenty of fluids on hand to replace lost electrolytes. Stock up on coconut water and sports drinks in order to replace any nutrients lost through vomiting or diarrhea.

Stock Up On Favorite Movies, Books And Games

Distraction is extremely important when you are trying to self-detox from alcohol. This is why it is a good idea to stock up on DVDs, books, board games and video games that will engage your mind and provide some well needed distraction during this difficult time.

Self-detoxification is not easy and planning ahead is the best way to ensure that your self-detox is a success. If you have all the necessary materials and the proper support system in place your chances of succeeding will greatly increase. To learn more about recovery, contact a business like Olalla Recovery Centers.

Posted by admin on May 19, 2015 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Gout: Pain In Your Big Toe And Your Heart?

Do you have gout? If you do, you may be at a higher risk for heart problems. There have been several studies showing the correlation between gout and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but what does this actually mean? Here is a closer look at gout, cardiovascular disease, and their relationship to each other.

First of all, what is gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that often happens in the lower legs, feet, and toes. It is characterized by a painful buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream that collects around the joints. Certain diseases, such as diabetes, as well as drinking alcohol or taking certain medications may increase your chances of developing gout as you get older. While gout attacks often only last a few days, they can resurface at any time, especially if they are left untreated. Your doctor can work with you to develop a plan for managing your gout, so that the attacks happen less frequently.

What about cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular or heart disease is simply when the heart does not work the way it should. This is often caused by blood clots that have a hard time getting through your blood vessels or plaque that builds up on the walls of your arteries, causing the heart to have to work harder to pump the blood through the body. Heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmia are all forms of cardiovascular disease.

But what does arthritis of the big toe have to do with heart disease?

In the last several years, researchers have noticed that people with gout are more likely than those without it to develop different types of heart disease. Interestingly, this is especially true if you are male. However, as of yet, no one has actually been able to pinpoint gout as a cause of heart disease. So far, it is only considered to be associated with an increased risk of heart problems, not necessarily the cause.

So, why should you care?

If you have gout, it may be an indication that you are at risk for certain types of heart disease. It is important to work with your doctor to not only manage the painful arthritis, but also to monitor for any potential heart conditions. Also, as more research is being done on the association between gout and heart disease, it is also important to keep an open mind. Managing your gout better may be the key to lowering your risk of heart disease. You can become part of the solution by participating in a local gout cardiovascular disease study.

Do you have a “gummy” smile? People with gummy smiles have perfectly healthy gums and teeth, but the gum tissue may cover more of the teeth than is preferred. This could be genetic or it could be caused by disease or certain medications. About 14 percent of women and 7 percent of men are considered to have gummy smiles, where the amount of gum that shows below the upper lip in a smile is more than 2-3 millimeters.

Fortunately, there’s a way that your cosmetic dentist can sculpt away small portions of the gum line, called gum contouring. Recently, many cosmetic dentists have begun to use lasers to accomplish this quickly and with minimal damage to the remaining tissue.

What happens during the procedure?

The dentist will determine how much gum to remove, and discuss with you what the final results will look like. Then, he or she will administer a numbing agent to your mouth. Using a traditional scalpel or a laser tool, the dentist will carefully remove the gum area and may also do a bit of tooth removal or sculpting along the root to make everything look good.

The surgery is done inside the dentist’s office and typically doesn’t require any follow-up procedures. It can take several days to recover from the surgery, during which you’ll take over-the-counter pain medications and eat soft foods until your mouth is healed.

How much does gum contouring cost?

The cost of gum contouring depends on the skill level of the dentist you go to and what area of the country you live in. There also may be a higher cost if your dentist needs to do any sculpting of the tooth. Estimate that you’ll be spending anywhere from $50 per tooth for simple gum removal to $350 per tooth for more advanced work that also involves the tooth.

In most cases, gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure and your regular dental insurance will not cover any costs.

Are there cases where gum contouring wouldn’t work?

While most gummy smiles are caused by too much gum tissue, there are some dental health reasons why smiles may not be ideal. These include:

Teeth not having erupted far enough.

Misaligned bite.

Jaw is misaligned or incorrectly formed.

Muscle damage or issues with the muscles that control lip movement.

These are considered medical issues rather than cosmetic ones. A cosmetic dentist like Daniel M. Bade, DDS can make a recommendation for treating any of these diagnoses or refer you to a specialist for a more detailed analysis.

About Me

Hey, I'm Curt Donnaly. When I was a child, I did not realize my eyesight was failing for years after my vision started to decline. I struggled to see the chalkboard and often made up excuses about why I could not complete my work. After recovering from a scratched cornea, my eye doctor decided to perform an eye exam. My doctor diagnosed me as nearsighted and immediately issued a prescription for glasses. Upon placing the glasses on my face, I was shocked to see individual blades of grass and leaves in the trees. Because of this experience, I hope to spread the word about the importance of having children's vision tested on a regular basis through this site. I will also discuss what to expect at these exams. Please come by again soon.